New Orleans residents let back into the city "early"? What do you think?

First, please no news articles. I'm looking for PTO member's opinions, not the NY Times or any other journalist's for that matter..

The Mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin is planning to start letting N.O. citizens back into the city one zip code at a time. The General (I think) that is now in charge of the fed operation is saying that it is too early to do that according to the little I have heard lately.

One of the reasons he cites is that if another flood or any emergency happens these people will be stuck once again in the middle of it. Also, there is no running water and everything is polluted.

This morning when I got up I was watching the weather and there are two tropical storms out in the Atlantic that are working toward hurricane strength. One will likely head up toward Bermuda while the other is heading toward the keys and into the gulf.

Potentially, there could be another hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico with no known destination at this time but "what if" it headed for the New Orleans area? What if there were 100k+ people back in New Orleans when this hits? Sounds pretty dangerous to me..

Do you think people should be allowed to go back and stay at this point in time? If so, please explain.

I have not being watching the news on this as much lately, but just going by what you have said in your post, I agree that it is too early. With no running water and pollution, even without the threat of more storms it has the potential to cause major health problems.

I could understand letting people in for a limited amount of time to assess the damage to their property, but to let them in by zip code and let them stay is crazy. What if someone did not realize the threats posed to their health and well-being and went back. What about those who live in apartment buildings who could not only be exposing themselves to the dangers mentioned but the mold left by these flood waters?

I think that only those who owned their homes should be let in now and only to check out the damage. Once that is done, they should have to leave again.

__________________

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Apparently the Mayor is not taking into consideration ALL the diseases just lurking in the waters. The mold alone from all the water and the heat isn't healthy not to mention all the biological critters just waiting to infect someone. No sanitation system/power/you name it....As sad as it is for all these people to be away from their homes it is sadder yet that he is basically telling them go ahead, go home and get sick. It's not his problem from the less than brilliant idea he has. MY opinion only.

Too soon. There is still diseases lurking around and no lights and water and there are workers trying to clean up, everything is still in caos rite now, and there will be no ambulance service, no hospitals open, and all that.
It would be a different story if the people were allowed in to see what they have left and to save what they can, but leave again soon after. and come back to live after it is safe.

I heard on the news that 40% of the city is still underwater so I would say it is way too early. How will people get around? How will food come to them? I also wonder about the water being polluted, they have not found all the dead bodies, and there is mosquito indestiontations. I would hope the public health officials had a say in this.

I have not being watching the news on this as much lately, but just going by what you have said in your post, I agree that it is too early. With no running water and pollution, even without the threat of more storms it has the potential to cause major health problems.

I could understand letting people in for a limited amount of time to assess the damage to their property, but to let them in by zip code and let them stay is crazy. What if someone did not realize the threats posed to their health and well-being and went back. What about those who live in apartment buildings who could not only be exposing themselves to the dangers mentioned but the mold left by these flood waters?

I think that only those who owned their homes should be let in now and only to check out the damage. Once that is done, they should have to leave again.

I have to completely agree with Amy on this one. Even if there wasn't a potential threat for another storm right now...it's still to early. The living conditions alone (no water, power, and the disease threat, etc) make it obvious that it is to early to let people back in to stay. Sure..let me in there to access the damage to their property...but, not to stay. It makes no sense.... my

I agree, it is way too early to allow residents to return. As you all above have posted, the threat of the newly forming storms as well as the present situation in New Orleans is still not safe.....what is this mayor thinking?????????????

I have to say it's WAY to early!! Not even counting the storms that COULD hit NO again...but the pollution and the water that is STILL there! Plus, they should be able to get the city CLEANED UP and make sure that HEALTH WISE people won't be at risk. There are still MANY MANY things that need to be done...they just basically started the clean-up...they should DEFINETLY wait!! I know people want to get back to their "homes" and see what, if any, is left...but it's TOO early! Plus no food, lights, water, electricty...that needs to be taken care of also.

I wonder if he will get some public buses in the area this time just in case some "freak 100 year Hurricane" happens to hit again while those that are already in there and need to get out of town again. OR, just in case a smaller one hits and the Levee is blown up (tactically bombed) again to flood the black parts of town. - Louis Farrakahn.

Sorry, but this guy needs some steroids or HGH for the brain in a bad way...

I just spoke to a buddy I did some fed time with (his family used to own the only hotel/casino there ) for the first time in years and he was down there with swamp boats and working to help the cops.. They said they all couldn't stand that "coward" (I'll leave out the other expletives).. Nagin was crying and freaking out when the storm hit and afterwords. Everyone else was in charge but him...

It seems that most people from Baton Rouge and N.O. can't believe he still "in power" there.

Mr. Ray "There is only one Mayor of New Orleans and I am it" Nagin... Read the play book.. Any play book..

He comes on as a pompous idiot IMO.
I was listening to news and the Core of Eng. said even a minor storm could break the levee yet again not to mention a huge rain would be devastating because only 30% of the pumps are in working order.

Too early. *Maybe* I could see letting a small portion of people back in to get to their houses, but only for a short time (few hours), only adults, and only into certain areas deemed safe. There is no way we can fully comprehend all the dangers in those waters and what the water left behind. I know it must hurt those people greatly, they just want to go home. But we still need to wait.

__________________Insanity is..... Making the same mistake over and over while expecting a different result.

I doubt Nagin will be reelected! First he did not a thing. Now he wants to rush things. Thankfully, that general, the governor (much as I dislike her) and other officials and even Pres. Bush told him to hold up on letting people back in! He was only thinking of himself - but was not thinking clearly at all. He took time off to go to Dallas to buy a house for his family -- and has them well protected. He should show more consideration for the residents of N.O. and their current and future well being.